Fluorescent light question

[Cliff_Johns]

The double fluorescent light fixture in my garage has a failure. Both tubes light, but only at half (or less) brightness. Does that mean the ballast is bad, or does it mean one or both bulbs are bad? I guess I could replace both bulbs, but I rather not if the ballast is bad anyway.

Cliff

 

[murphy1244]

Does it have a starter?

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Does it have a starter?

I don't understand the question. It's the type that plugs into a socket which is wired to a switch on the wall. I know nothing about the insides of a fluorescent light fixture except that they have ballasts that fail sometimes.

 

[murphy1244]

I don't understand the question. It's the type that plugs into a socket which is wired to a switch on the wall. I know nothing about the insides of a fluorescent light fixture except that they have ballasts that fail sometimes.

Is there a small silver cylinder next to the ballast?

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I don't know. I will have to pull it down tomorrow and look. I haven't tried to take it apart or anything. Do you think that might be the part that has failed?

Cliff

 

[murphy1244]

I don't know. I will have to pull it down tomorrow and look. I haven't tried to take it apart or anything. Do you think that might be the part that has failed?

Cliff

If its got one

 

[kenmac]

If it's the cheap fixture. you can buy new cheaper than replace parts. I replaced all my big bulb fixtures with the smaller bulbs T8?

 

[murphy1244]

If it's the cheap fixture. you can buy new cheaper than replace parts. I replaced all my big bulb fixtures with the smaller bulbs T8?

How much are T8 bulbs?

 

[kenmac]

Don't remember. Not any more than the T12 bulbs. Better lighting though

 

[Bigfoot62]

Could be a starter. (if it has one) Most newer fixtures don't have starters.
Could be the ballast.
Could be the bulbs.

Change the bulbs. If that doesn't do it, buy a new fixture. You've already got new bulbs.
Seriously, a weak ballast can ruin the bulbs, and weak bulbs can fry the ballast. If you have to change the fixture, use new bulbs.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

The bulbs I use are F40CW 48" 40 watts. What is the T8 designation.

Cliff

 

[murphy1244]

T-8 is what size it is. Old ones were T-12s which I have two cases of.

 

[k0ua]

The bulbs I use are F40CW 48" 40 watts. What is the T8 designation.

Cliff

Well I believe that to be a T-12 type of bulb. Replace the bulb that is half lit, and see if that fixes it, if not replace both.. if no fix. replace fixture.. it is as simple as that.

 

[whistlepig]

I recently bought a replacement fluorescent for our kitchen. It appears that fixtures for T12 bulbs are no longer available. The T12 bulbs are available but not the fixtures. So I bought a T8 fixture. T8 bulbs are much brighter and about the same cost as T12.

 

[k0ua]

I recently bought a replacement fluorescent for our kitchen. It appears that fixtures for T12 bulbs are no longer available. The T12 bulbs are available but not the fixtures. So I bought a T8 fixture. T8 bulbs are much brighter and about the same cost as T12.

yep the are pretty well phased out now. I still have one new uninstalled fixture and a couple cases of bulbs.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

OK, I will try replacing both bulbs (since they are both dim) and see what happens.
Cliff

 

[murphy1244]

yep the are pretty well phased out now. I still have one new uninstalled fixture and a couple cases of bulbs.

The have plenty here, when are they supposed to be gone? Bulbs are getting scarce.

 

[k0ua]

The have plenty here, when are they supposed to be gone? Bulbs are getting scarce.

Preparing for the DOE T12 Lighting Phase Out

Looks like july 14 2012.. was the date... soon the 60 and 40 watt incandescent bulbs will be gone too..

 

[murphy1244]

Preparing for the DOE T12 Lighting Phase Out

Looks like july 14 2012.. was the date... soon the 60 and 40 watt incandescent bulbs will be gone too..

Its the bulbs they stopped making. I stocked up with 75 and 100watt Bulbs. Can you still buy flood light Bulbs?

 

[kenmac]

Cheap 4 foot T8 fixture is about 17-20 bucks. I also had a case of T12 bulbs, but could find no fixtures. After changing over,I like the T8's better